Brief Description

We help people with learning disabilities, people experiencing mental health issues and those assessed as lacking mental capacity to have a voice, to be better connected, and to have greater choice and control in their lives. We achieve this through delivering a range of community and advocacy services in Gateshead, Newcastle and South Tyneside.

Vision & Mission

We exist because vulnerable people often need support to participate, be included and to have a voice. Our vision is for an inclusive society that is understanding of the needs of all. We want to enable disabled, disadvantaged or  socially excluded people to have choice and control in their lives, to be connected to their communities, to be able to speak up about what they want and need, and to feel valued. Our mission is to help people to make a difference in their own lives and in society as a whole. We want to help people make lasting change that means better quality of life and more equal opportunities.

Aims & Activities

We aim to help people understand their rights, speak up for what they want, develop skills, confidence and independence, achieve personal goals, develop crucial support networks and increase their resilience. We deliver advocacy and intensive support to people facing crisis, welfare rights support, community connecting to tackle isolation, and weekly drop-in sessions for people with learning disabilities. We support user led activities such as peer support groups, and employ 19 people with learning disabilities who use their lived experience to improve services and to help other vulnerable speak up for what they want.

Facts & Figures

                            We deliver specialist, targeted services to vulnerable people in South Tyneside, Newcastle and Gateshead. We use a person-centred approach to understand an individual’s circumstances and what is important to them, to help them identify barriers and opportunities, and to explore the support needed to make the changes they want in their life. By enabling people to develop and apply their skills, and to assert choice and control, we help them to become more independent and widen their opportunities. Connecting people to others and enabling community participation increases people’s practical and emotional networks of support: they benefit from the shared experience and advice of their peers, feel more valued, and are better able to cope with challenges in their life.
                            

                            We help people with learning disabilities and mental health issues who face gross inequalities and suffer from social and financial disadvantage and poor health and wellbeing as a result. People with learning disabilities are likely to die die 15 years earlier than the rest of the population and less than 6% are in paid employment. Many people we work with are living in poverty or are financially vulnerable. Other services in the community often fail to understand the barriers our clients face or lack the skills and resources to support people effectively. People we work with frequently disclose instances of abuse, including hate/mate crime and financial abuse. We fight for choice and control and equal rights for these people and provide lasting help to over 1500 people per year.
                            

Awards

Advocacy Quality Performance Mark by NDTI in 2018